The main attraction is the depth control - you can get zero to full depth in a rotation of about 95 deg.
I've experimented in the shop with a makeshift handle sitting on top of the adjuster and it felt pretty good , almost natural , especially if you hold the planer close. It looks and feels a little bit "budget ' , but there's plenty of grunt according to the specs.
Of course the first thing to do would be cut off that awful D handle.
I'm thinking make a knob out of wood , and glue and screw it to the original somehow , or maybe use a gear stick handle.
I use a stock Hitachi P20 atm , and it's good , but I like to have options - like that much coveted depth adjustment.
anyone else use these or seen them ? Thoughts in general ?
The AEG planer is not available in the US. AEG makes tools under the Rigid brand here in the US, but they do not offer a planer. A similar planer (different depth adjustment) is this one from Rockwell, which has a Skil 100-like handle angle, about $115:
Yes , I've seen those Rockwells , they're available here ,too.
They feel good n hefty , reasonably priced as well.And they've got little allen screws in the blade mount for fine tuning blade depth easily, which is a nice touch.
The AEG's a funny little thing - the base is slightly shorter than Hitachis or Makitas, and the drum is unlike any I've seen.But it comes with a case , spare set of tungsten blades and a two year trade warranty.
The only attraction really is the potential for easily getting that 'on the fly ' depth adjust function that we all want.
If I get one and get it set up for shaping I'll report back - it was nearly a done deal but I saw a Simon Anderson Mollusc yesterday and I really want that too .....
So maybe I'll just look forward to PeteC developing the goods for that new Makita.
That Rockwell is 7.5A, and heavier than the Skil at almost 12 lbs (Skil is about 10.5). Haven’t tried one yet. On recommendations for good inexpensive planers, the Bosch 1594 is my choice (Cleanlines will agree). I actually use it more than the Skil, but I’m not doing production work either. It’s light, compact, very accurate, and neither the depth adjustment nor the handle really bother me too much. And it’s very reliable; I’ve abused it hitting glass doing repair work, and it will still do precise rail bands a minute later. Reversible, throw-away blades too. These go for about $90, so that’s my choice as far an inexpensive planer. For $200, the Makita KP 0810 is the next step, since it’s easily modified and very powerful. Skinning poly blanks is the best test of power and this one wins hands down. However, after looking at that Rockwell’s spec’s, it’s a real mower also. But the big issue is reliablity and maintenance, and that’s easy to see just looking at the design and materials. I will try and get a look at the Rockwell and see what it’s got.
